Attachment



Feb. 27, 1923. 1,447,057.

0'. E. BECKMAN. AIR VENT ATTACHMENT.

FILED JUNE 1, 1922.

atent Feb. 27. 13.

' OLIS, IOWA.

i ATTAC tanner. '1'

Application aiea June 1, 192a. serials. seaoaa.

To all whom it my concem:

. Be it known that I, Oswam E. BnoKMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Mediapolis, in the county of Des Moines and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in an Air- Vent Attachment; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enableothers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the sam This invention relates to an air vent attachment for receptacles.

It is aimed to provide a novel, simple, inexpensive and readily attachablemeans for receptacles for cans of various sizes and shapes whereby air may be admitted thereto for coaction with the contents during pouring or dispensing thereof from the recep-v tacle.

The invention resides in the novel arrangement, combinations and details of the parts as illustrated by one practical embodiment in accompanying drawings and hereinafter described.

In said drawings:

Figure 1 is a view illustrating my attachment in use on a receptacle, the latter being shown in section, the attachment being illustrated in full lines in closed position and in dotted lines in an open position, and

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the dlfl'erent elements comprising the attach ment in disassociated relation.

Like reference characters designate like or similar parts in each view.

A receptacle is illustrated at A from which the contents are adapted to be removed by pouring through an outlet spout or opening at B. As is well known in cans or receptacles of this general type, in view of the fact that there is no air inlet, it is difiicult to rapidly and evenly pour or dispense the liquid. The present invention overcomes such objection as it afi'ords a means whereby the can will be ventilated or air admitted to assist in the flow of the contents therefrom.

In reducing the invention to practice, a suitable opemng as at C is rovided at an appropriate part of thecan and a mounting plate 10 is disposed thereover and has a central vent opening-11 therethrough. The mounting plate may be of any suitable material, for instance tin, which renders it bendable so as to conform to the contour of the engaged part of the can. The plate the wall of the can,

10 may be secured in place in any suitable manner, as by means of soldering about its edge to the wall of the can, as the latter is of a tin composition or othermetal.

In instances where the attachment is built into the can initially, the plate 10 may form thus overcoming the necessity of employing a separate plate 10 as illustrated.

Slidable through the opening 11 and of less diameter than the opening is a stem at 12. Rigid with the stem and disposed below the plate 10 is a closure element or disc 13, on which a rubber or other washer or gasket 14 may be placed for direct contact against the underside of the plate 10 about the opening 11 in order to close said opening hermetically. A contractile coil spring 15 surrounds the stem 12 and closure element 13, being soldered or otherwise secured to the plate It) at one end, and at its other end havmg a (pin 16 passing intermediate coils thereof an removable through an opening 17 in the stem.

A manipulating knob or cap 18 is provided exteriorly of the receptacle preferably screw threaded to the stem as at 19 for attachment and detachment to facilitate assembly of the plate 10 on the stem 12.

A detent notch 20 is provided on the stem 12 to engage the plate 10 about the opening 11. Said plate 10 about said opening 11 is preferably increased in thickness or reinforced as suggested at 21.

In use, the contraction of the spring 15 normally maintains the gasket 13 in engage ment with the plate 10 thus hermetically sealing the can about the opening 11. The contents of the can are poured for instance through the spout B, as knob 18 is depressed accordingly depressing stem 12 against the tension of the spring 15 and the closure element 13 and its washer 14, thus uncovering the opening 11. which due to the fact that it is larger than the diameter of the stem serves as a vent opening for inlet of air. When the parts have been depressed sufliciently.

the notch 20 is opposite the reinforcement 21 whereupon the knob may be slightly tilted so that the notch will engage said portion 21 and remain in that position due to the contractile action of the spring. Such ofise' disposition of the stem within the opening 11 also provides a larger vent for ingress of air. ,VVhen the contents of the can have been. dispensed, knob 18 may be moved latorally to disengage the notch 20 from enlargement 21 whereupon the parts will be restored. to normal position by the spring 15. I I am aware of the fact that in dispensing the contents of cans, for instance oil cans, that the cans are punctured by means of a nail'or otherwise to permit the ingress of air. Such puncturing however renders the can objectionable for general use thereafter in carrying water, oil or the like, especially in a vehicle since it splashes or emerges from such a vent opening. .In such a can, my attachment when used will overcome the spilling or escape of the contents through the vent opening.

As merely one practical embodiment has been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that changes in the details may be resorted to provided they fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim as my invention 1. A vent means for a receptacle consist ing of a mounting plate provided with a vent opening therethrough, a stem movable in said opening, a closure element on said stem for coaction with the opening, a contractile spring associated with said stem to maintain the closure element in a closed position, means operable to depress said stem, and means on the tem engageable with said element adjacent said opening to maintain the stem depressed and the closure element accordingly in open position,

2. A vent means for a receptacle, consisting of a mounting plate provided with a vent opening therethrough, a stem for depression in said opening, a closure element on said stem,a contractile spring secured to said stem and to said plate to urge said closure element into contact with the plate, and said stem having a notch to engage said plate about said opening to maintain the closure element depressed against the tension of said spring.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

OSWALD E. BECKMAN.

Witnesses:

GEORGE C. WILLIAMS, ARTHUR BRENNAN. 

